'Heavy Halo' acrylic on linen, 80x100cm. The first of several paintings featuring late friend, muse and generally wonderful human-Mike Shanti. I’m excited to be working on a new body of drawings and paintings considering objectification, control and vulnerability. Still interested in the dynamics and exchange between the watched and the watcher. I wanted this piece to accurately depict the physical presence and strength of the man staring out and for the background to be theatrical and grandiose enough to represent performed faced and strength. The halo-referencing a photograph taken by the subject himself in Afghanistan in 2007, expression and slightly submissive pose was an attempt to convey vulnerability and connection. Paintings like these always begin as snapshots of someone I’m inspired by and end up being self portraits.